Foods To Avoid For Optimal Kidney Health

Pickled Food

Pickled food, as well as relishes and olives, can be incredibly high in sodium. Consuming too much sodium forces kidneys to work harder to process it, which could lead to further kidney damage and decreased function. Even a small serving of pickled cucumbers could contain three hundred milligrams of sodium. Olives, for example, are often processed with sodium to improve taste and reduce a bitter taste, which means just a handful could add up to a significant portion of an individual's daily sodium allowance. While reduced-sodium pickles and relishes are commonly available, they can still contain fairly high levels of sodium and potassium, so it's important not to eat them too often.

Canned Food

Canned foods, such as vegetables and soups, are convenient and suit many busy lifestyles, but they often have high levels of sodium because of how they are processed. While lower-sodium versions are available at most grocery stores, individuals will still need to monitor their sodium intake carefully and limit their consumption because these are also high in potassium, which can be dangerous. Try making soups and stews from scratch using fresh herbs and spices to keep the sodium content down. Individuals can often freeze these for later and reheat them at their convenience. Canned vegetables and fish can be rinsed to remove some of the sodium, but the best bet is to eat fresh or frozen vegetables and fish instead.